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Registration is now open for the MHLS Mini Conference on Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) taking place Friday, October 7th, 2022, from 9:30 am – 3:30 pm. This free online event will highlight trends and best practices in creating more inclusive and more equitable library spaces through keynotes from recognized leaders in EDI initiatives as well as panel discussions of practitioners from local MHLS member libraries.
Morning Session: 9:30 am – 12:15 pm | REGISTER
This morning session is designed for library board members, directors, and administrators, but all are welcome to attend.
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KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Freddimir García, Co-Founder & Program Advisor for The Board Institute, Hudson Valley Pattern for Progress
Freddimir García is the Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Officer for the Hudson Gateway Association of REALTORS® (HGAR), a not-for-profit trade association representing over 13,000 real estate professionals doing business in The Bronx, Manhattan, Orange, Putnam, Rockland & Westchester Counties. It is the second largest REALTOR® Association in New York, and one of the largest in the country. In this newly created role, Freddy leads the Association's efforts in developing and executing HGAR's diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
An active member of the community, Freddy is currently serving on various boards across the region including Family Services, Inc., RUPCO, Inc., Hudson Valley Pattern for Progress, and Rhinebeck Bank. He also works with various organizations in the Hudson Valley on the development, understanding, and implementation of DEI strategies to help create environments of inclusion and accountability. He is also the co-founder and Program Advisor of The Board Institute designed to diversify boards across the Hudson Valley by equipping people of color with the knowledge, support, and tools to serve.
He is a two-time Marist College graduate with a Masters in Business Administration and holds a Diversity & Inclusion Certificate from Cornell's School of Industrial and Labor Relations.
Topic: Inclusive Leadership | Unmanaged Bias Limits Leadership
We will be taking an excursion to understand the practical practice of diversity, equity, and inclusion while also identifying the key elements of an inclusive leader as a board member. We will challenge ourselves to also recognize the power of our minds and together, discover the functions and impacts of bias in our approach to governance decisions and board recruitment.
PANEL DISCUSSION: Members of the Mid-Hudson Library System Board of Trustees EDI Working Group will share their experiences and resources developed over the last two years. Facilitated by MHLS Executive Director Rebekkah Smith Aldrich.
Afternoon Session 12:45 pm – 3:30 pm | REGISTER
This afternoon session is designed for library staff and directors, but all are welcome to attend.
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KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Maria Estrella, Founder of Young Diverse Readers
Maria F. Estrella (she/her/hers/ella) earned a Master of Communication and Information in Library and Information Science from Kent State University, two Bachelors of Arts and Sciences in Social Work and Spanish from Cleveland State University and received Diversity and Inclusion certification from Cornell University. She also holds two decades of library experience working in a five-star rated urban-research library system, including eight years working as a Children's/Teen Librarian and a Youth Services Subject Department Librarian. Maria similarly has thirteen years of significant knowledge advocating, promoting, and providing services to youth and caregivers. She served on national committees, juries, and task forces, whose primary goal is to provide diverse literacy and technological resources/services to enhance the lives of young readers and encourage them to become life-long scholars.
Maria is actively a REFORMA (National Association to Promote Library and Information Services to Latinos and the Spanish Speaking) Executive Board Member, the Children, and Young Adults Services Committee Chair, and a REFORMA liaison to the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC). Maria was honored with the 2021 REFORMA Dr. Arnulfo D. Trejo Librarian of the Year Award and was recognized as a 100+ Latinos Cleveland Must Know, 2021 Edition. She will begin her 2022-2025 term as an American Library Association Councilor-at-Large as well as a Board Member of the Association of Library Services for Children.
Topic: Flourishing Institutions: Best Practices for Inclusive and Equitable Library Spaces
It’s crucial for libraries to successfully foster and continue a culture where diversity, equity, and inclusion (EDI) are at the center of every library initiative. During this presentation, attendees will be introduced to basic EDI concepts, theories, and terminology key for establishing and continuing inclusive and equitable library spaces.
PANEL DISCUSSION: Representatives from three member libraries will talk about their experiences in implementing practices and programs at the local level to help engage their communities in conversations around diversity and employing hiring practices to create a more inclusive and welcoming environment.
Please register for each session you would like to attend.
Certificates of attendance will be sent to participants after the event.
Questions? Please contact MHLS Outreach & EDI Specialist, Kerstin Cruger.
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REMINDER: Summer Reading Program Final Reports are due from all MHLS member libraries by Friday, September 16th.
The online report form is open for all member libraries to enter statistics from their 2022 Summer Reading Program. Links to the online report form and a PDF of the questions are available at https://midhudson.org/summer-reading-program/.
Questions about the report can be sent to MHLS Outreach & EDI Specialist, Kerstin Cruger.
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Resource Sharing & Sierra | REMINDER: In the third week of September the MHLS cataloging department will suppress all items that have a status of 'Lost & Paid', 'Discard' or 'Claims Returned', which have not been updated for 3 months. The items will not be deleted. Changing the annual report code to " w - MHLS staff suppress", simply keeps them from displaying in the public catalog. | |
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There is still time to register for Fostering LGBTQ+ Inclusive Libraries on September 12th from 2:00 – 4:00 pm. This online (live) event gives participants the opportunity to hear the personal coming out stories of the facilitators from The SafeZone Initiative LLC and be able to have a safe and affirming place to ask any and all questions and have an open dialogue. The participants will be able to further understand what it means to be OUT, the difference between gender identity, gender expression, biological sex, and orientation. Explore the current climate for LGBTQ+ folks and go through tangible tips for best practices for communicating respectfully with LGBTQ+ patrons within library settings.
Though this session will be held online, it will not be recorded to help foster a safe space for participants to have an open dialogue.
This session is open to all who would like to attend but please note this is the first part in the mandatory two-part series for participants who want the SafeZone Certification training. The SafeZone Certification Training on September 29th is currently at capacity. If you would like to be added to the wait list please email your full name, member library affiliation and contact email to kcruger@midhudson.org with "Part 2: SafeZone Certification" in the subject line. If we have enough interest, MHLS will work with The SafeZone Initiative LLC to open a second session for part 2.
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Reference & Collection Development | OverDrive has put together a curated collection for Banned Books Month. The Books Unite Us, Censorship Divides Us: Read a Banned Book collection is pinned to the top of https://mhls.overdrive.com/ and will be available through the month of September. | |
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Reserve your seat for the MHLS & RCLS Adult Programming Staff Share & Learn on October 13th from 1:30 - 3:30 pm. During this online event adult programmers from Ramapo Catskill Library System (RCLS) and Mid-Hudson Library System (MHLS) are invited to come together for a presentation and group sharing at this interactive event.
The session will open with a keynote from Marie Pierre and Morgan Strand presenting DEI Initiatives on A Shoestring Budget. Following the keynote, we will move into small discuss groups to discuss a variety of topics focusing on adult service programming.
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Trustee Tip of the Month: The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires libraries to provide services and programs to people with disabilities on an equal basis with the rest of the public. The Mid-Hudson Library System recommends the “ADA Checklists for Existing Facilities" from the New England ADA Center, to help assess if your library facility compiles to with the ADA.
Trustee responsibilities are small in number but broad in scope. This monthly Bulletin feature is designed to remind, reinforce or introduce tips that are helpful to member library trustees.
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Library Assistant (User Services Department), Howland Public Library
Howland Public Library, located in Beacon, New York, has a part-time position open for a Library Assistant focusing on technology in our User Services Department. We are looking for a friendly, tech savvy, and team-orientated individual who can join our staff in providing outstanding customer service to the vibrant and diverse patrons of the Beacon City School District. Interpersonal and communication skills are vital for this position as are attention to detail, tact, and politeness, while still being able to uphold the rules of the library. Patience, critical thinking, and the ability to instruct individuals with a broad range of technology skills is essential. The Technology Library Assistant reports directly to the Assistant Director.
List of Duties:
- Assists patrons in sign in and use of library computers;
- Assists patrons with basic computer operations, such as use of internet, email, printing, and Microsoft software;
- Assists patrons in the use of library-related technology, such as e-readers and other handheld devices;
- Assists library patrons with library’s website, electronic catalog, photocopiers, fax machines, and printers;
- Monitors library technology equipment and networking systems for proper functioning;
- Provides verbal directions and instructions to patrons;
- Directs patrons to appropriate staff member to meet their in-depth information needs;
- Checks in and cleans Library of Things technology equipment;
- Assists circulation desk when needed;
- Provides technology assistance to staff;
- Assists with setting up technology equipment for public programs;
- Assists with technology projects, including conducting equipment and software inventory;
- Performs additional duties as required.
Library technology equipment position works with:
- Fax machine
- Public copier
- SAM kiosk
- Public computers
- Catalog computer
Salary: Hourly rate of $17.30 for 28 hours per week on a set schedule of Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 9:15am-3:15pm and Sunday 12:00pm-4:00pm. Possibility of adding more hours when shift coverage is needed or during special events.
Benefits: Paid vacation, sick, holiday, and bereavement time. Employee Assistance Program offered to all staff. Howland Public Library participates in the New York State and Local Retirement System.
Civil Service Minimum Qualifications: “EITHER: (A) Graduation from a regionally accredited or New York State registered college or university with a bachelor's degree; OR: (B) Graduation from a regionally accredited or New York State registered college or university with an Associate's degree and two (2) years of paid work experience in the provision of non-clerical library activities which do not require the possession of a Master's degree in library science (i.e., the conduct of a specific library program including video or craft programs; the selection and processing of literature; or the preparation of library artwork and decoration); OR: (C) Graduation from high school or possession of a high school equivalency diploma and four (4) years of paid work experience in the provision of non-clerical library activities which do not require the possession of a Master's degree in library science (i.e., the conduct of a specific library program including video or craft programs; the selection and processing of literature; or the preparation of library artwork and decoration); OR: (D) An equivalent combination of education, training and experience between the limits of (A) and (C) above”.
Special Notice: The Library Assistant position is a civil service provisional appointment pending future examination. Applicants must meet all Dutchess County Civil Service minimum qualifications for the position and be reachable upon exam for permanent appointment.
Applicants can send a letter of interest and resume to Director Kristen Salierno via email (subject heading: Tech Library Assistant) at director@beaconlibrary.org by September 22nd.
MHLS recommends that the minimum starting salary of a full or part-time librarian with an MLS degree be at least equal to that of a teacher with a master’s degree in the same community.
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